#import "/lib.typ": *
#import "/style.typ": *
#show: templ

#let k = kayoko
#let a = aru
#let m = mutsuki
#let h = haruka

= Prologue. The End of Problem Solver's #red[Fiscal] Year
= 序章. 便利屋平凡的年末
\


#def[
  == fiscal
  _ADJ_ *Fiscal* /'fɪsk(ə)l/ is used to describe something that relates to government money or public money, especially taxes. (政府)财政的;国库的;(尤指)税收的
]


#aru(
  _en[All right, everyone. #red[Listen up!]],
  _zh[好了，大家听好！]
)


#def[
  == listen up
  You say *listen up* when you want someone to listen to what you are going to say. 听我说
]


#aru(
  _en[I have an announcement to make.],
  _zh[我有事情要通知！]
)
#aru(
  _en[As we all know, a new year is #red[upon us].],
  _zh[大家都知道，新的一年马上就要到了。]
)


#def[
  == upon sb.
  _PREP_ If *an event is upon you*, it is just about to happen. 将要发生；马上来临
  
  【例】
  
  The long-threatened storm was upon us. \
  酝酿多时的暴风雨就要向我们袭来。

  They had to conserve the candles now with winter upon them. \
  冬天眼看就要到了，他们不得不把蜡烛省着用。
]


#mutsuki(
  _en[It is, isn't it? Time flies.],
  _zh[啊～时间过得真快啊～都快新年了。],
)
#aru(
  en[No doubt. Looking back, a lot has happened in the last year.],
  _zh[呵呵呵……现在回想起来，过去一年真是发生了很多事啊]
)
#aru(
  en[There have been moments of happiness, pain, sadness, and even regret.],
  _zh[开心的事、痛苦的事、悲伤的事和令人婉惜的事……]
)
#mutsuki(
  en[Is it just me, or were there a lot more painful ones than anything?],
  _zh[小爱，我想了想，我们好像只有过痛苦的事吧？]
)
#kayoko(en[...], _zh[……])
#aru(
  en[A-Anyway! All that matters is that we overcame that adversity and are still standing. It's time to welcome a new year!],
  _zh[总，总之！重要的是便利屋成功突破了那些逆境，迎来了新的一年！]
)
#def[
  == adversity
  #defword("adversity", "n", "厄运；逆境；困境")[Adversity is a very difficult or unfavourable situation.]
]
#aru(
  en[That's why I proposed that we visit somewhere special to celebrate.],
  _zh[所以为了纪念，我们现在要去一个很特别的地方。]
)
#haruka(
  en[A-And that would be...?],
  _zh[特，特别的地方？]
)
#kayoko(
  en[Considering you made us get dressed up and #red[dragged us here] at #red[the break of dawn], it must be a New Year's event.],
  _zh[大清早就让我们穿成这样集合，嗯，肯定是为了那个迎新年活动吧。]
)


#def[
  == drag someone somewhere
  _VERB_ If someone *drags you somewhere* you do not want to go, they make you go there. 强迫;迫使;勉强
  == the break of day
  _PHRASE_ *The break of day* or *the break of dawn* is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. 破晓时分
]


#aru(
  en[#red[Quick on the uptake] as usual, Kayoko, but that's not all.],
  _zh[呵呵，很敏锐嘛，佳代子课长。但不只是因为这个。]
)

#def[
  == quick on the uptake
  _PHRASE_ You say that someone is *quick on the uptake* when they understand things quickly. You say that someone is *slow on the uptake* when they have difficulty understanding simple or obvious things. 理解力强/理解力弱

  【例】
  
  She is not an intellectual, but is quick on the uptake. \
  她并不是个才智非凡的人，但理解力很强。

  Carol was absent-minded and a little slow on the uptake. \
  卡萝尔心不在焉，反应有点迟钝。
]


#aru(
  en[We're not visiting just any old place. We're going somewhere wishes are said to come true.],
  _zh[我们要去的可不是普通的地方，是个有名的许愿圣地，据说很灵验的！]
)
#haruka(
  en[Th-There's a place like that?],
  _zh[是，是许愿………就能成真的地方?]
)
#mutsuki(
  en[Ohhh. You must mean what's been #red[trending on social media.]],
  _zh[啊，那儿呀~是不是最近在网上很流行的那个活动场地？]
)


#def[
  == trending
  _N-COUNT_ A *trend* is a change or development towards something new or different. 趋势;倾向;动向
  
  _ADJ-GRADED_ If you say that something or someone is *trendy*, you mean that they are very fashionable and modern. 时髦的;时尚的;现代的

  _ADJ_ Something *trending* is something currently popular or widely discussed online, especially on social media.

  网上流行，一般也的就是在社交媒体上流行。
]


#kayoko(
  en[If social media is why it's popular, then I already have a bad feeling.],
  _zh[网红打卡地？一听就很可疑……]
)
#kayoko(
  en[Are you sure this is #red[legit]? It already sounds like some marketing trick for #red[publicity].],
  _zh[那都是迷信吧？或者是营销手段而已。]
)


#def[
  == legit
  _ADJ-GRADED_  If you describe a person or thing as *legit* /lɪ'dʒɪt/, you mean that they are in accordance with the law or with a particular set of rules and regulations. 奉公守法的；守规矩的；合法的

  【例】

  What is the point of going legit and getting married? \
  为什么要规规矩矩、结婚成家？
  
  == publicity
  _N-UNCOUNT_ When the news media and the public show a lot of interest in something, you can say that it is receiving *publicity* /pʌb'lɪsɪtɪ/. （媒体或公众的）关注 
  
  【例】

  ...the renewed publicity over the Casey affair. \
  对凯西事件的再次关注
  
  The case has generated enormous publicity in Brazil. \
  这个案件已经在巴西引起了极大的关注。
]


#mutsuki(
  en[Aru's a total #red[sucker] for those kinds of things.],
  _zh[唉\~原来小爱背着我们偷偷喜欢这种东西啊~？]
)


#def[
  == sucker
  _N-COUNT_ If you describe someone as a *sucker for* something, you mean that they find it very difficult to resist it. 对…入迷的人;难以抗拒…的人

  另外，

  _N-COUNT_ N-VOC If you call someone a *sucker*, you mean that it is very easy to cheat them. 容易上当受骗的人;傻瓜;笨蛋
]


#aru(
  en[I-I never said I believed any of the rumors! We're going there for a different reason!],
  _zh[啊？我，我又不是真的信！我要去那里是因为另有自的！]
)
#mutsuki(
  en[And that is?],
  _zh[另有目的？]
)
#aru(
  en[Curious, are you?],
  _zh[哼， 没错。]
)
#aru(
  en[Well, it's a secret. All you need to know for now is that it's going to take our business to even greater heights.],
  _zh[现在还不能告诉你们，你们只需要知道，这是为了我们便利屋68的生意更加兴隆必须做的事情。]
)
#kayoko(
  en[That bad feeling I had just got worse.],
  _zh[……越听越可疑了。]
)
#mutsuki(
  en[Who knows what kind of weird #red[scheme] Aru's #red[drawn up] this time?],
  _zh[小爱，你怎么又在一个人制定奇怪的计划了……]
)


#def[
  == scheme
  _N-COUNT_ A *scheme* is someone's plan for achieving something. 计谋;阴谋;诡计;计划
  == draw up
  _PHRASAL VERB_ If you *draw up* a document, list, or plan, you prepare it and write it out. 草拟;制定

  【例】
  
  They agreed to draw up a formal agreement. \
  他们同意起草一份正式协议。

  He wants his ministers to concentrate on implementing policy, not on drawing it up. \
  他希望部长们把注意力放在政策的执行上，而不是政策的制定上。
]


#aru(
  en[#red[Knock it off]! Have a little #red[faith] in me for once!],
  _zh[行了！别废话了！]
)


#def[
  == knock it off
  _PHRASE_ If you tell someone to *knock it off*, you are telling them to stop doing something that is annoying you. 停止干扰;打住
  
  【例】

  Will you just knock it off! \
  别闹了！
  == have faith in
  _N-UNCOUNT_ If you *have faith in someone or something*, you feel confident about their ability or goodness. 相信;信任
]


#aru(
  en[Never mind that. Did you prepare what I asked for?],
  _zh[我盼时的东西，都准备好了吧？]
)
#mutsuki(
  en[Well, yeah. You said to bring a bunch of cash, right?],
  _zh[嗯，是啊～你不是让我们准备大额现金了吗？]
)
#kayoko(
  en[I did the same. Boss' orders.],
  _zh[毕竟是社长的命令，准备倒是准备好了。]
)
#haruka(
  en[I-I brought some too],
  _zh[我，我也准备好了，爱露大人！]
)
#aru(
  en[Heh. Good. Good...],
  _zh[哼哼哼，很好。]
)
#aru(
  en[It's crucial for our objective, so make sure to keep it safe],
  _zh[为了达成我的目的，现金是必不可少的。要好好保管，别弄丢了。]
)
#k(
  en[Wait. Are you going to...?],
  _zh[……难道?社长……?]
)
#m(
  en[Aru, Don't tell me your plan is to wish for #red[prosperity] by offering all this money.],
  _zh[……小爱，你难道计划把这些现金全拿去许愿生意兴隆……？]
)


#def[
  == prosperity
  _N-UNCOUNT_ *Prosperity* /prɒ'sperɪtɪ/ is a condition in which a person or community is doing well financially. 繁荣；兴旺；富足
]


#h(
  en[N-Now I get it! We're going to use the money to wish for even more money!],
  _zh[原，原来如此！！因为在那里许愿就能成真，爱露大人的意思是，香火钱捐得越多，生意就会越兴隆对吧？]
)
#a(
  en[Wh-What?! No! Don't think I'd come up with something so stupid.],
  _zh[啊？！没，没有！才不是！！你们把我当成什么了！！]
)
#m(
  en[#red[Phew]. Are you sure?],
  _zh[呼……我还以为……]
)


#def[
  == phew
  _EXCLAM_ *Phew* is used in writing to represent the soft whistling sound that you make when you breathe out quickly, for example when you are relieved or shocked about something or when you are very hot. 唷，咳（书面语中用来表示吃惊、松口气或酷热难耐等）
]


#k(
  en("*sigh*"),
  _zh[唉……]
)
#a(
  en[The point is that a bunch of #red[underworld] #red[tycoons] are going to be at this event!],
  _zh[重要的是！有许多道上的大佬也会去那个活动现场！！]
)
#h(
  en[What's a #red[tycoon]?],
  _zh[大，大佬?]
)


#def[
  == underworld
  _N-SING [oft NOUN n, n NOUN]_ The *underworld* in a city is the organized crime there and the people who are involved in it. 黑帮；黑社会
  
  == tycoon
  _N-COUNT_ A *tycoon* /taɪ'kuːn/ is a person who is successful in business and so has become rich and powerful. 大亨;巨头;大实业家

  【例】
  
  …a self-made Irish property tycoon. \
  白手起家的爱尔兰房地产巨头
]


#aru(
  en[You know. Like, underworld #red[big shots] from gangs, crime #red[syndicates], money #red[laundering] companies... That #red[sorta] stuff! #red[Villains] from all over are gathering in one place, using #red[New Year's] as an excuse.],
  _zh[没错。一些大组织、大集团，还有大公司！许多可怕的人都会借着迎新年的名义在那里聚集！]
)


#def[
  == 1. big shot
  _N-COUNT_ A *big shot* is an important and powerful person in a group or organization. （群体或机构中的）要人，大人物

  == 2. syndicate
  
  _N-COUNT_ A *syndicate* /'sɪndɪkət/ is an association of people or organizations that is formed for business purposes or in order to carry out a project. 辛迪加;私人联合会;企业联合组织

  == 3. launder

  + _VERB_ When you *launder clothes, sheets, and towels*, you wash and iron them. 洗熨（衣物） _[old-fashioned]_
  + _VERB_ To *launder /'lɔːndə/ money* that has been obtained illegally means to process it through a legitimate business or to send it abroad to a foreign bank, so that when it comes back nobody knows that it was illegally obtained. 洗（钱）
  
  【例】

  The House voted today to crack down on banks that launder drug money. \
  众议院今天表决打击为毒资洗钱的银行。

  == 4. That sorta stuff!
  sorta = sort of 

  == 5. villain
  _N-COUNT_ A *villain* /'vɪlən/ is someone who deliberately harms other people or breaks the law in order to get what he or she wants. 歹徒;恶棍;流氓

  == 6. New Year's
  #quote[Villains from all over are gathering in one place, using New Year's as an excuse.]
  “New Year's” 可以指 “New Year's Day” 或者 “New Year's Eve”。
]


#a(
  en[Think about it. Are they going there just to make some New Year's wishes and say hi to one another?],
  _zh[你们觉得，那些家伙到那儿去是为了相互拜年吗？]
)
#a(
  en[Of course not! Only a fool would think that! They're gathering to forecast the coming fiscal year.],
  _zh[不！不可能！绝对不会！那些巨头汇聚一堂的真正目的，是分析！]
)
#k(
  en[And how are they going to do that?],
  _zh[分析……？]
)
#a(
  en[Simple. By observing how much money the other attendees are offering, how expensive their clothes are, #red[et cetera]. It's essentially an #red[arena] where the #red[savviest] of the #red[savvy] can evaluate one another to #red[get a leg up] on the competition.],
  _zh[那完全就是一个勾心斗角的地方，对方捐了多少香火钱，穿了多贵的衣服………他们会通过对方的一举一动来分析和评估彼此！]
)


#def[
  == et cetera
  etc. = et cetera
  
  == arena
  _N-COUNT_ An *arena* /ə'riːnə/ is a place where sports, entertainments, and other public events take place. It has seats around it where people sit and watch. 运动场；竞技场；体育场

  【例】

  ...the largest indoor sports arena in the world. \
  世界上最大的室内体育场

  == savvy
  _ADJ-GRADED_ If you describe someone as *savvy* /'sævɪ/, you think that they show a lot of practical knowledge. 有见识的;具有实际知识的;有经验的 _[informal]_

  【例】
  
  She was a pretty savvy woman. \
  她是个见过世面的漂亮女人。

  == have a leg up
  : to have an advantage over others
]
#note[
  == the savviest of the savvy
  强调用法，强调 savvy 的程度非常大。

  类似的用法还有：(the) best of the best。
]


#a(
  en[They'll #red[size each other up] and then make plans for the coming fiscal year!],
  _zh[以此来把握彼此的势力大小，积累数据，制定未来一年的计划。]
)


#def[
  == size up
  _PHRASAL VERB_ If you *size up a person or situation*, you carefully look at the person or think about the situation, so that you can decide how to act. 打量;估计;判断;评估

  【例】

  Some US manufacturers have been sizing up the UK as a possible market for their clothes. \
  一些美国生产商一直在观察英国是否会成为他们的成衣潜在市场。

  He spent the evening sizing me up intellectually. \
  他整晚都在若有所思地打量我。
]


#a(
  en[So if one businessman is dressed especially well or makes a ridiculously large offering, you know they've got cash to #red[spare] and are worthy of doing business with!],
  _zh[比方说“那帮家伙………竟然捐了那么多。今年得小心他们了……”之类的！]
)


#def[
  == spare
  _VERB [only to-inf]_ If you *have something* such as time, money, or space *to spare*, you have some extra time, money, or space that you have not used or which you do not need. 剩余，剩下(时间、金钱或空间)

  【例】
  
  You got here with ninety seconds to spare. \
  你到这里的时候还剩 90 秒钟时间。

  It's not as if he has money to spare. \
  他又不是有什么余钱。
]


#m(
  en[I think I follow...],
  _zh[哦？也就是说……]
)
#k(
  en[You made us rent these expensive #red[kimonos] and #red[scrounge up] all the cash we could so that...],
  _zh[之所以租了这么昂贵的和服，还让我们准备巨额现金，是为了……]
)


#def[
  == kimono
  _N-COUNT_ A *kimono* is an item of Japanese clothing. It is long, shaped like a coat, and has wide sleeves. （日本的）和服
  == scrounge /skraʊndʒ/ up
  : to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available
  _also_ : to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source
]


#a(
  en[Exactly! This is our chance to show off Problem Solver 68's #red[might] to the underworld!],
  _zh[没错！这是我们便利屋给那些家伙留下深刻印象的好机会！！]
)


#def[
  == might
  \= power, strength, or force
  
  【例】

  She struggled with all her might to get free. \
  她用尽全力想挣脱出来。
]


#k(
  en[I thought so.],
  _zh[啊啊……嗯。]
)
#h(
  en[I-It makes perfect sense! It's so brilliant that only you could come up with it!],
  _zh[明，明白了！这个计划太棒了，爱露大人！这么完美的计划只有爱露大人才能想得出来！]
)
#k(
  en[I'm pretty sure this is what's referred to as #red[faking it until you make it].],
  _zh[……社长，那你的意思就是要去那里虚张声势咯……]
)


#note[
  == #quote[fake it till make it]
  “Fake it till make it” 是一句名言，维基百科解释如下：
  #quote(block: true)[
    "*Fake it till you make it*" (or "*Fake it until you make it*") is an aphorism that suggests that by imitating confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset, a person can realize those qualities in their real life and achieve the results they seek.
  ]
  意思就是假装自己是，相信自己是，最终自己就真的是了。

  【例】

  I know you are very uncomfortable in these clothes but must act in front of the audience. You got to fake it until you make it.
]


#a(
  en[I-It's not faking! We're just building our brand image.],
  _zh[什，什么叫虚张声势啊，是塑造形象！！]
)
#a(
  en[Anyway, the plan is for us to drop a huge #red[wad] of cold, hard cash into the offering box like the big shots we are.],
  _zh[不仅如此！最后我们还要把大把的钞票潇洒地扔进香火钱的箱子里。]
)


#def[
  == wad
  _N-COUNT_ *A wad /wɒd/ of something* such as paper or cloth is a tight bundle or ball of it. 卷;叠;捆
]


#a(
  en[We've gotta do it with a #red[flair] that says, "What, this? It's just pocket change to us!"],
  _zh[“这点小钱，我们根本不在乎！”要展现出这股气势！]
)


#def[
  == flair
  _N-SING_ If you have *a flair /fleə/ for* a particular thing, you have a natural ability to do it well. 天资;天赋;天分
]


#h(
  en[O-Of course! Pocket change!],
  _zh[小，小钱……]
)
#m(
  en[Not a bad idea! Count me in.],
  _zh[啊哈哈哈，好呀！我赞成！]
)
#k(
  en("*sigh*"),
  _zh[唉……]
)
#a(
  en[Good. Then you all understand my #red[ingenious] vision.],
  _zh[很好，看来你们都理解我的计划了。]
)
#a(
  en[Let me #red[reiterate]. This is no ordinary New Year's event.],
  _zh[那就做好心理准备吧……我说过，这可不是普通的迎新年活动。]
)


#def[
  == ingenious
  _ADJ-GRADED_ Something that is *ingenious* /ɪn'dʒiːnɪəs/ is very clever and involves new ideas, methods, or equipment. 巧妙的;制作精巧的;新颖独特的
  
  【例】
  
  ...a truly ingenious invention. \
  真正有创意的发明

  Gautier's solution to the puzzle is ingenious. \
  戈蒂埃破解这道难题的方法很巧妙。
  == reiterate
  _VERB_ If you *reiterate* /riːɪtəreɪt/ something, you say it again, usually in order to emphasize it. （通常为了强调）重复讲，反复说，重申

  【例】

  He reiterated his opposition to the creation of a central bank. _[VERB noun]_ \
  他重申了自己反对成立央行的立场。

  I want to reiterate that our conventional weapons are superior. _[VERB that]_ \
  我要再次重申，我们的常规武器是一流的。
  
]


#a(
  en[Consider this a battle that will decide Problem Solver 68's future. We'll be entering a battlefield with the #red[sole] objective of leaving a positive impression on our peers and competitors!],
  _zh[这是一场赌上了便利屋68命运的战争，而我们的任务就是像投入战斗一样前往新年活动现场，给我们的竞争者留下帅气的印象。]
)


#def[
  == sole
  _ADJ [ADJ n]_ The *sole* /səʊl/ thing or person of a particular type is the only one of that type. 唯一的;仅有的

  【例】

  Their sole aim is to destabilize the Indian government. \
  他们唯一的目的就是要动摇印度政府的统治。
]


#h(
  en[U-Understood!],
  _zh[是，是！明白！]
)
#m(
  en[Fine.],
  _zh[哼嗯～]
)
#m(
  en[Sounds like fun! C'mon, let's go.],
  _zh[嗯！肯定很好玩，那快走吧！]
)
#k(
  en[I was planning to visit to make a New Year's wish anyway.],
  _zh[好吧。至少可以顺便许个新年愿望……]
)
#a(
  en[Well, then. Let us #red[be off], my dear Problem Solver 68.],
  _zh[好，便利屋 68，为了大展宏图……]
)


#def[
  == be off
  : to leave : to start going, running, etc.
  
  【例】

  I must be off if I want to make the next bus.
  
  And the runners are off.
]


#a(
  en[To the New Year's celebration!],
  _zh[向看迎新年活动现场，出发！]
)